Sponge rubber insert for toothbrush heads



July 12, 1949. A. LIGOURE 2,476,201

SPONGE RUBBER INSERT FOR TOOTHBRUSH HEADS Filed Aug. 1, 1945 IIIIIIIIII IN V EN TOR.

Alice EL gaure ATI'DRNEYS Patented July 12, 1949 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE SPONGE RUBBER INSERT FOR TOOTHBRUSH HEADS 1 Claim.

My invention relates to toothbrushes, and has among its objects and advantages the provision of an improved rubber brush construction particularly suitable for gum massaging purposes, in addition to its teeth cleaning function.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a toothbrush in accordance with my invention.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the handle with the brushing unit detached therefrom.

Figure 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of the head end of the brush.

Figure 4 is a plan view of the brush unit, and

Figure 5 is a transverse sectional view of the head.

In the embodiment of the invention selected for illustration, I make use of a handle in having a head l2 at one end thereof. The handle and the head are more or less conventional with respect to size and shape. The head I0 is provided with a recess H in which is anchored a brush unit I6.

The brush unit 16 comprises a body or base I8 formed of sponge rubber and provided with integral V shape brushing elements 20, with the bases of the elements attached to the base l8. The base l8 fits tightly in the recess l4 and may be made additionally secure by cementing,

The body or base I8 is impregnated with a rubber solution to fill the pores of the body, which prevents the retention of objectionable moisture in the body. The angular faces of the brush elements 20 are also provided with a thin rubber coating 22, but the ends of the elements 20 are uncovered. The two end elements 24 have convex outer side faces. These two elements are somewhat more sturdy than the intermediate elements 20, and have flattened ends 26. The convex outer side faces are partially covered to provide semicircular areas 28, but the ends of the elements 24 are uncovered.

The brush performs an efficient tooth cleaning function but is resilient in such degree as to render the elements 20 and 24 particularly suitable for gum massaging purposes. The uncovered areas of the elements 20 and 24 permit moisture entering therein to evaporate so that the brush may be kept in a dry and sanitary condition.

Without further elaboration, the foregoing will so fully explain my invention, that others may,

2 by applying current knowledge, readily adapt the same for use under various conditions of service.

I claim:

A toothbrush head insert having a sponge rubber base, a plurality of intermediate cleaning elements also of sponge rubber integral with and extended transversely and outwardly of said base, said cleaning elements spaced longitudinally of the base, each of said elements being V-shaped in cross section and having plane end faces and inclined transverse faces, and said elements. positioned with the vertices thereof extended outwardly from said base, and transversely extended terminal cleaning and massaging elements in longitudinal alignment with said intermediate cleaning elements, formed of sponge rubber and also integral with said base, each of said terminal elements having a fiat outwardly extended face inclined to said base and an outer arcuate Wall and having a plane surface on the outwardly extended end connecting the said fiat inclined face and arcuate wall, and a rubber skin impervious to moisture integral with and coating the inclined transverse faces of said intermediate cleaning elements, the said flat faces and a portion of said arcuate Walls of said terminal cleaning elements, whereby a substantially semi-circular portion of said arcuate walls of the sponge rubber terminal elements and the sponge rubber plane and faces of said V-shaped intermediate cleaning elements are exposed.

ALICE EUGENIA LIGOURE.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 403,350 Horsey May 15, 1889 1,002,468 Strangnan Sept. 5, 1911 1,801,915 Gray Apr. 21, 1931 1,892,068 Metzler Dec. 27, 1932 1,903,161 Barkan Mar. 28, 1933 1,924,337 Troupa Aug. 29, 1933 1,939,612 Rose Dec. 12, 1933 1,978,633 Horton et al. Oct. 30, 1934 2,176,306 Love et al. Oct. 17, 1939 2,218,072 Runnels Oct. 15, 1940 2,225,331 Campbell Dec. 17, 1940 

